Injectable Submental Fat Treatment
Have you been struggling to reduce the size of a double chin? Stubborn submental fat along the underside of the chin is a common problem for many men and women despite a healthy diet and exercise.
While facial liposuction can be an effective option to sculpt this lower portion of the face, many of our patients come to our Seattle plastic surgery practice looking for a less-invasive option. For this, we recommend Kybella.
At The Larrabee Center in Seattle, WA, we understand your need for a minimally invasive yet impactful treatment. Kybella® is a breakthrough injectable that dissolves fat cells under the chin, offering our patients the relief they seek from a double chin without surgery.
Our precision-driven injections ensure artistic contouring and natural-looking results, reflecting our commitment to excellence. Trust us to redefine your silhouette with the highest standard of care.
Kybella Chin Fat Before & After
Actual patient of The Larrabee Center View More Before & After Photos
What is Kybella?
Kybella is a non-surgical way to reduce problem fat cells that can often linger beneath the chin and sometimes give off the appearance of a “double chin.”
This injectable procedure uses an active ingredient known as deoxycholic acid, which is FDA-approved for the treatment of submental fat cells. Once injected beneath the skin, the deoxycholic acid causes the targeted fat cells to deactivate and ultimately be flushed from your body. The end result is a slimmer, well-contoured facial profile and chin.
Enhancements typically appear over several weeks as the body naturally processes and eliminates the fat cells, with many patients achieving their desired results after a few sessions, receiving a refined jawline without invasive surgery.
Kybella® treatments are typically quick, with minimal downtime, allowing patients to return to their daily activities shortly after the procedure. Results are permanent, assuming a stable weight is maintained, providing a long-term solution to this common aesthetic concern.
How Does Kybella® Work?
Kybella® functions by being administered subcutaneously, targeting the fat deposits beneath the skin. The active ingredients in Kybella specifically dissolve the fat cells in the treated zone. Following their breakdown, the body’s immune defense mechanism dispatches macrophages to the site.
These macrophages play a crucial role by engulfing and eliminating cellular debris. Furthermore, they aid in rejuvenating the area by attracting fibroblasts – cells responsible for creating connective tissue – which stimulate new collagen formation.
With the permanent removal of these fat cells, the propensity for fat accumulation under the chin is significantly reduced. The consequent tightening of the tissue contributes to the gradual disappearance of the double chin, resulting in a sculpted and more defined chin contour.
Benefits of Kybella®
Kybella® offers a lasting solution to reduce excess fat under the chin by safely targeting and eliminating fat cells. Upon administration, the cells are irreversibly dissolved, preventing the future accumulation or storage of fat.
Achieve your aesthetic ambitions with the added reassurance that no further treatments are necessary once you obtain your desired results. Offering a non-invasive alternative to surgical procedures, Kybella® delivers confidential, enduring results, ensuring a sleeker chin profile without the downtime associated with surgery.
How does Kybella treat excess chin fat?
This injectable fat reduction treatment is performed in the office at the Larrabee Center for Plastic Surgery in Seattle. Our team will carefully analyze your current condition and listen to your expectations to help determine if Kybella is right for you. Alternative treatments include facial liposuction, with which Dr. Larrabee also Dr. Susan Kurian can also help achieve natural-looking outcomes.
During your Kybella treatment, our nurse injectors will mark the targeted injection sites beneath the chin using a specially designed template. This will ensure an even and natural-looking reduction of unwanted fat. With each injection, a small amount of Kybella will be administered into the underlying fat cells, causing them to gradually “shut off” and be naturally flushed from your body.
Our providers often recommend a series of multiple Kybella treatment sessions to achieve optimal results. This will be based on the amount of fat you are looking to treat, as well as your desired outcome.
How Many Kybella® Treatments Will I Need?
To obtain optimal, permanent results, you may need up to six sessions at our office. Each round of injections targets localized fat cells with the right amount of deoxycholic acid to weaken cellular barriers so the contents spill out. The leaked contents of the fat cells are metabolized and eliminated from the body. We schedule treatments at intervals of about four weeks, providing sufficient time for your body to flush the destroyed fat.
How Long Do Results Last?
The results of your Kybella® treatment may last indefinitely provided that you maintain a relatively stable weight. After your treatment, the fat cells that have been destroyed are gone for good. You will always have fewer fat cells under your chin.
With that, it may take quite a bit of weight gain to begin seeing a double chin again. Also, though Kybella can permanently reduce the amount of fat beneath your chin, your upper neck will remain vulnerable to the effects of aging. Over time, you may notice that the area you’ve had treated looks loose or saggy. Fortunately, there are surgical and non-surgical treatments that can correct that concern, too.
How Should I Prepare for My Kybella Treatment?
Non-surgical double-chin treatment is about as convenient as it gets. Before your scheduled appointment, you should avoid alcohol and excess salt consumption, aspirin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
Ibuprofen is an example. These products can increase your risk of bruising and swelling. We also suggest washing your face and neck before coming to the office and NOT applying any lotion or other products to the treatment area.
Is there any Recovery Time After Treatment?
You can expect very little downtime after your Kybella treatment. Due to swelling caused by the infusion of deoxycholic acid into the intercellular space on the upper neck, you may want to schedule your sessions at a time when you can remain home for a couple of days.
To avoid exaggerated side effects, we also suggest avoiding intense physical activity for three to five days after your treatment.
What Are the Side Effects of Kybella?
The most noticeable side effect of Kybella treatment is swelling. Additional side effects that may occur include redness across the treatment area, itching, bruising, numbness, and hardness around the injection sites. You may not experience all of these side effects but they are possible to some degree. Those that do occur should resolve within a week.
Why Choose Kybella®?
Struggling with submental fullness can be a persistent issue. Often a genetic trait, this fat can be resistant to diet and exercise, possibly making you appear older or less fit than you are.
If surgical options like Liposuction seem too invasive, consider Kybella® as an effective non-surgical solution. Kybella® offers targeted treatment to melt away the bothersome fat beneath your chin. Kybella® is a safe, precise, and minimally invasive procedure.
When Will Results Show?
After undergoing Kybella® treatments, patients typically observe the most significant improvements around four to six weeks post-treatment. One of the treatment’s key advantages is its lasting effects, eliminating the need for recurrent maintenance. However, the optimal outcome may require up to four treatment sessions.
What areas can Kybella® Treat?
Kybella® is an FDA-approved treatment designed to target and reduce submental fullness, commonly known as a “double chin,” which might persist despite diet and exercise. This injectable solution addresses the aesthetic concerns that stem from genetic factors, the natural aging process, or weight gain.
Kybella® specializes in enhancing the contour of the chin area by diminishing the appearance of excess fat, giving you a more defined profile and a look that reflects your true body weight.
What To Expect Before a Kybella® Procedure
At your consultation, expect a warm welcome from one of our Certified Estheticians, who will attentively listen to your goals and any concerns regarding the Kybella® treatment. We’ll walk you through the process, setting clear expectations and offering personalized recommendations. Our expertise ensures that the procedure will align precisely with your aspirations.
What To Expect During a Kybella® Procedure
During your session, you’ll be given several tiny injections beneath your chin, with the entire injection procedure taking approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The precise count of injections necessary will vary based on the volume of submental fat and your specific aesthetic aspirations. Ice compresses will be applied right after treatment for optimal comfort and swelling reduction.
What To Expect After a Kybella® Procedure
After your Kybella injections, you can expect noticeable swelling in the upper neck area. This is in part due to inflammation that occurs as a result of injections and in part due to the volume of the deoxycholic acid that has yet to be absorbed into your fat cells.
The swelling may last about five days. This needs to force you to curtail all of your normal activities. You can disguise the swelling by wearing high-necked shirts or a scarf.
If the treatment area feels sore or tender, you can apply a cold compress for a few minutes at a time. However, you should avoid massaging or rubbing the area.
Once the deoxycholic acid destroys the fat cells in that area of your chin, they can no longer store fat, making the results permanent.
However, significant weight gain could lead to new fat cell development in that area, possibly altering the contours of your chin. Therefore, maintaining a healthy lifestyle post-treatment is key to preserving your new profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Possible Side Effects?
The most frequently reported side effects of Kybella® treatment are swelling, discomfort, numbness, redness, and localized firmness at the injection site.
What is the Average Treatment Cost?
The price varies based on the targeted area, and the total number of treatments required.
Is Kybella® Right for Me?
Kybella® is a solution for individuals aiming to eliminate submental fullness or a double chin. Ideal candidates for Kybella® are those who, despite maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise, still experience stubborn fat beneath the chin.
How long do Kybella® results take to appear?
The effects of this treatment typically become most apparent between four to six weeks after treatment.
How many Kybella® treatments will I need?
The required number of sessions for treating the fat beneath the chin will vary, depending on the volume of fat to be addressed and the desired outcomes. Typically, patients undergo 2 to 6 treatments, with each appointment scheduled at Larrabee about 4 to 6 weeks apart.
